I got a used Cortese in May. The original owner had excellent care to it - no scratch or dings. Yet on opening the package I sensed something came loose inside the power supply.
Removal of the bottom lid revealed one of the big capacitor did come loose, plus a slight free play on the toroidal transformer. There is a black foil on the bottom side of the top plate, and all the components rest on this foil. Part of the black foil holding this capacitor tore/peeled off. I figure that this must be the result of rough handling on shipment (from Southern California to Canada) and the black foil/glue holding the capacitor had become aged due to immense heat cycles on daily uses (Cortese users know the top plate of the power supply runs very hot).
With the guideline from Micy & Kevin (Thanks Micky & Kevin for your advice), the transformer was tightened back in place, and GE Sealant was applied to put the cap back in position. Kevin also warned me not to remove the phono tubes (as this time I don't have a T/T) as this will affect the bias.
I did not open the pre-amp unit as there is nothing came loose. This makes sense as it runs much cooler than the power supply.
Removal of the bottom lid revealed one of the big capacitor did come loose, plus a slight free play on the toroidal transformer. There is a black foil on the bottom side of the top plate, and all the components rest on this foil. Part of the black foil holding this capacitor tore/peeled off. I figure that this must be the result of rough handling on shipment (from Southern California to Canada) and the black foil/glue holding the capacitor had become aged due to immense heat cycles on daily uses (Cortese users know the top plate of the power supply runs very hot).
With the guideline from Micy & Kevin (Thanks Micky & Kevin for your advice), the transformer was tightened back in place, and GE Sealant was applied to put the cap back in position. Kevin also warned me not to remove the phono tubes (as this time I don't have a T/T) as this will affect the bias.
I did not open the pre-amp unit as there is nothing came loose. This makes sense as it runs much cooler than the power supply.